Workpackages

The project is broken down into seven workpackages.

WP1: Consortium Management: This workpackage is led by Cardiff University.

WP2: Review and analysis of requirements: The purpose of this workpackage is to investigate the general requirements for IR-sub-mm detector arrays for future space missions and determine a set of specifications for the KID technology for different applications. This study will identify the requirements for future space science missions such as SPICA, FIRI, CoRE, ECHO as well as the requirements for future Earth observing missions such as the CloudIce instrument proposed for Earth explorer 8. The study is coordinated by CSIC with different consortium members (CU, SRON, CSIC, CNRS (NEEL)) taking the lead role in the evaluation of the detector requirements for different specific missions. The WP output will be a set of specifications for KIDS for a few different mission concepts for which KIDs can be a competitive detector choice. For each selected application KID arrays will be designed, tested and verified in the other work packages.

WP3: Development of KID detector arrays for space based applications: The objective of this work package is to develop KID arrays that meet the requirements derived from the mission concepts analysed in WP2. The WP is coordinated by SRON and has contributions from all partners. This WP includes the following tasks for all KID arrays to be developed:

Optimizing the KID detectors for the specific application. This is done by exploring different detector materials and optimizing the device geometries.

Optimizing the radiation coupling to the detectors by means of dedicated 3D modeling and possibly novel antenna designs.

Reducing the susceptibility to cosmic rays. This is achieved by modeling and array testing in a dedicated test facility.

Improving the number of pixels that can be read-out within a given bandwidth by reducing the amount of microwave crosstalk.

A design study to show the possibilities of on-chip spectrometers is being performed by SRON/TU Delft. Outside the scope of this project, experimental work on these devices will be performed.

The output of WP3 will be a set of optimized and tested array designs tailored towards the few specific applications which were selected in WP2.

WP4: Development of 2 GHz readout electronics for KID arrays: This workpackage is coordinated by SRON, with significant contributions from AimValley. The objective of this work package is to develop the necessary readout electronics to test large arrays of KIDs. The electronics will have a 2 GHz bandwidth, 8 effective bits dynamic range and is capable of reading out KIDs with a Q factor up to 5x105. The latter requirement implies the need of a new development that has not been used anywhere in the readout of detector arrays. The work includes limited hardware development, as mostly commercial boards are used. It does include FPGA programming, system design, integration and testing of the digital electronics and the design and assembly of an analogue up- and down-converter capable of transferring the 0-2 GHz bandwidth of the digital electronics to the 4-8 GHz centre frequency of the KID arrays. Two fully tested sets of hardware will be made and used for array testing in WP3 and WP5.

WP5: Large format IR-KID fabrication and testing and pre-qualification for space: This workpackage will be coordinated by Cardiff University. This work package uses the combined output from WP3 and WP4 to fabricate and test large format (>~1000 pixels) arrays of KIDS appropriate for future space missions. We plan to test 2 arrays: one optimized for a high background loading, as required for an Earth observation mission, and one optimized for ultra-low background operation, as required for a future astronomical mission. In addition, we will perform a study to determine the qualification steps and technology development roadmap for space use of the technology and readout electronics.

WP6: Technical coordination: This workpackage will be coordinated by Cardiff University. This work package will provide the framework to deliver the scientific coordination and project management to underpin the success of SPACEKIDS.

WP7: Dissemination: This workpackage will be coordinated by Cardiff University. This workpackage will maximize the impact of the SPACEKIDS project to the scientific and technical community, and to the general public. Objectives are:

Organization of first and second SPACEKIDS conference

Interaction with the science user community and stakeholders

Creation and maintenance of project website

Identification of commercial and industrial spin-out opportunities

Press releases and outreach

Latest News

2nd SPACEKIDs workshop

2nd international SPACEKIDs Workshop

The second, and final community workshop will be held on 10th March at the European Space Technology Centre, Noorwijk, Netherlands.

2nd SPACEKIDs workshop

2nd international SPACEKIDs Workshop

The second, and final community workshop will be held on 10th March at the European Space Technology Centre, Noorwijk, Netherlands.